On 4th November 2021, at the age of 72, my Mum died after a brave battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Her diagnosis just two years earlier confirmed what we had all been dreading. Problems remembering small details and reduced confidence - in doing things she had done a million times - quickly developed into agitation and feelings of confusion. As I later discovered, the development of Alzheimer's is not a linear path and can also be influenced by physical factors. At one point, Mum fell and injured herself badly, leading to a sharp deterioration in her condition and the need for round the clock care. 

Timing was also not on Mum's side. COVID struck the world at the same time as her diagnosis, depriving her of all the face-to-face interaction and potentially life-extending support that the doctors and Alzheimer's charities could have offered. While there is still no cure, the Alzheimer's Society helps sufferers to come to terms with their situation, and offers support groups to try to help maintain mental and physical activity. It also provides families and carers (in this case, my Dad) with much needed information and support when they need it most.

So my Dad and I have decided to walk the walk to raise money for the Alzheimer's Society. It is a cruel and isolating disease, on so many levels - one that no one should have to go through on their own.